MLS Cup 2024

Last updated
MLS Cup 2024
LA Galaxy vs Minnesota United, Dignity Health Sports Park, 2024.jpg
Dignity Health Sports Park, the host venue of MLS Cup 2024
Event MLS Cup
LA Galaxy New York Red Bulls
21
DateDecember 7, 2024 (2024-12-07)
Venue Dignity Health Sports Park
Carson, California
MLS Cup MVP Gastón Brugman (LA Galaxy)
Referee Guido Gonzales Jr. [1]
Attendance26,812
WeatherSunny, 81 °F (27 °C)
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MLS Cup 2024 was the 29th edition of the MLS Cup, the championship match of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top-flight soccer league in the United States and Canada. The match was played on December 7, 2024, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, United States. It was contested by the Western Conference champions LA Galaxy and the Eastern Conference champions New York Red Bulls and determined the champions of the 2024 season. The match also marked the conclusion of the MLS Cup playoffs, which was contested by the top 18 teams based on their regular season records.

Contents

The LA Galaxy won 2–1 and clinched a record sixth MLS Cup title with two goals in the first half. Gastón Brugman was named the match's most valuable player. [2]

Road to the final

The MLS Cup is the post-season championship of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top-flight club soccer league in the United States and Canada. The 2024 season was the 29th in MLS history, and was contested by 29 teams organized into the eastern and western conferences. [3] [4] Each team played 34 matches during the regular season, which runs from February to October, twice against each intra-conference opponent and six to seven times for inter-conference opposition in an unbalanced schedule. The regular season included a month-long break for the Leagues Cup, which comprised all MLS and Liga MX teams. [5] The nine clubs in each conference with the most points qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs, which was played over four rounds from October to December. Most rounds were a single-elimination match hosted by the higher-seeded team; the exception was Round One, which was a best-of-three series with the first and third (if necessary) match hosted by the higher-seeded team. [6] [7]

Both of the finalists, the LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls, were among the ten original teams that joined the league for the inaugural season in 1996. The 2024 final is the first MLS Cup to not feature an expansion team since MLS Cup 2014, which was contested by the Galaxy and New England Revolution. [8] It is also the first championship match between teams from New York City and Los Angeles—the two largest metropolitan areas in the United States. [9] The metropolitan areas also each have two MLS teams, with their newer counterparts established in the 2010s having each won the MLS Cup. [10] [11] The Galaxy and Red Bulls last played each other during the 2021 regular season, which ended in a 3–2 victory for the Galaxy. [12] [13]

LA Galaxy

The LA Galaxy are the most successful team in MLS Cup history, having won five titles in nine appearances in the final; their most recent was in 2014 against the New England Revolution, who they previously defeated in 2002 and 2005. [14] The team had won three MLS Cup championships in a four-year span under head coach Bruce Arena, who left in 2016. [15] In the following seven seasons, the Galaxy qualified for the playoffs only twice and finished with the worst record in the league once despite making several star signings. [16] During the 2023 season, where they finished in 26th place, the team fired longtime club president Chris Klein and technical director Jovan Kirovski in response to a boycott from fans. [17] [18]

Head coach Greg Vanney was retained and worked with new general manager Will Kuntz to acquire 20 players over a 16-month period to overhaul the Galaxy roster; [19] [20] the attack would also remain under the leadership of star midfielder Riqui Puig. [19] [21] The club remained under transfer sanctions during the 2023 season that limited their early rebuild to free agent signings and trades. [22] [23] Starting goalkeeper Jonathan Bond was replaced by free agent John McCarthy, who had won MLS Cup 2022 with cross-town rivals Los Angeles FC. [24] Two of the Galaxy's Designated Players, Javier "Chicharito" Hernández and Douglas Costa, left during the winter transfer window and were replaced by young wingers Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil at a reported combined cost of $19 million in transfer fees. [25] [26] The moves marked a change from the club's traditional Designated Player signings, which had included veteran European stars, but aligned with other MLS teams who pursued younger talent. [24]

The team were undefeated in their first six matches of the regular season, including two matches where they were trailing 2–0, [27] until they lost 2–1 to Los Angeles FC in the El Tráfico derby. [28] The Galaxy's schedule included nine away matches in the first fourteen weeks of the season, which was followed by a home stand of four matches during a five-week stretch. [29] Prior to the home stand, the team had a five-match winless streak in May that included four consecutive draws that dropped them to fourth place in the Western Conference. [29] The Galaxy won six of their next seven matches through the end of June and tied for the top spot in the conference despite injuries to midfielders Riqui Puig and Gastón Brugman. [30] [31] The team entered the midseason break for the Leagues Cup atop the Western Conference standings with a record of 14 wins, 5 losses, and 7 draws. [32]

The Galaxy advanced from their Leagues Cup group but were eliminated in the round of 32 by Seattle Sounders FC. [33] Before MLS play resumed in late August, the team signed German midfielder Marco Reus from Borussia Dortmund; he scored in his debut match for the club, a 2–0 defeat of Atlanta United FC that was also the 400th win in franchise history. [34] The Galaxy had a pair of losses on the road in September, but clinched a playoff spot and remained atop the conference standings. [35] The team lost on Decision Day to Houston Dynamo FC and ended the regular season tied on points with Los Angeles FC, but finished second in the conference on goal differential. [36] The Galaxy finished with an undefeated record at their primary home stadium, Dignity Health Sports Park, and equaled their franchise records for wins (19) and goals scored (69) in the season. [37] [38] Pec, who was awarded Newcomer of the Year, led the team in scoring with 16 goals and 14 assists, followed by Puig with 13 goals and 15 assists; [38] [39] the Galaxy set an MLS record with four players who scored ten or more goals during the season. [22]

LA played seventh-seeded Colorado Rapids in the first round of the playoffs, a best-of-three series. The Galaxy won 5–0 in the first matched, played at home, and 4–1 in the second match at the Rapids' home stadium. [40] The two-match sweep gave the team a three-week break until the next playoff match, which Puig criticized in a tweet directed at the league. [10] In the Conference Semifinals, the Galaxy hosted Minnesota United FC and won 6–2, setting an MLS record with 15 goals scored in the first three playoff games. Paintsil, Pec, and Dejan Joveljić all scored two goals each in the victory, which equaled the most goals scored in a single playoff match. [41] LA hosted the Western Conference Final against Seattle Sounders FC, who had defeated top-seeded Los Angeles FC in the previous round and had the fewest goals conceded during the 2024 regular season. [42] The Galaxy won 1–0 with a goal in the 85th minute by Joveljić after struggling against Seattle's defense and control of the game. [17] The team returned to the MLS Cup final for the first time in ten years but lost Puig, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament during the match but continued to play for 30 minutes. [43]

New York Red Bulls

Scottish winger Lewis Morgan (pictured in 2018) led the Red Bulls in scoring during the regular season after returning from injuries in 2023 FC Salzburg gegen Celtic FC (4. Oktober 2918 Gruppe B, 44. Spieltag).jpg
Scottish winger Lewis Morgan (pictured in 2018) led the Red Bulls in scoring during the regular season after returning from injuries in 2023

The New York Red Bulls joined MLS in the inaugural season as the MetroStars and adopted their current name after their acquisition by Austrian energy drink company Red Bull GmbH was completed in 2006. The team finished as runners-up to the Columbus Crew in MLS Cup 2008, their first championship appearance, and had yet to return to the MLS Cup. The Red Bulls have the MLS record for longest playoffs streak, having qualified for 15 consecutive seasons between 2010 and 2024. [10] [11] Despite their playoff struggles, the team had won the Supporters' Shield, awarded for the best regular season record, three times in a six-year stretch from 2013 to 2018. [44] They finished the 2023 regular season as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference and defeated Charlotte FC in the wild card round of the playoffs before being eliminated by FC Cincinnati in two matches. [45] It was the fifth consecutive season where the Red Bulls had not advanced beyond the first round proper of the playoffs. [46]

German manager Sandro Schwarz was hired as head coach in December 2023 from Hertha BSC in the Bundesliga; the hiring was intended to align with the "high-press" style used by the Red Bull teams. [47] Later that month, New York signed Swedish midfielder Emil Forsberg from sister club RB Leipzig to a Designated Player contract. He was acquired to become captain of the team, which primarily relied on a core of young homegrown players from New York and New Jersey. [46] The Red Bulls also signed Swedish defender Noah Eile and benefited from the return of Scottish winger Lewis Morgan, who missed most of the previous season with a hip injury and underwent surgery. [46] [48]

The Red Bulls began the regular season with 14 points in their first seven matches as they led the Eastern Conference and league standings. [49] Through their first ten matches, the team lost only once, but also had five draws from goals conceded late in matches; by early May, they had dropped to third in the conference standings. [50] After a 6–2 loss to Inter Miami CF in early May, the Red Bulls won four of their next five matches and maintained a fourth-place position in the conference. [51] The team lost Forsberg to a leg injury while he was playing for the Sweden national team during an international friendly on June 8; he was placed on the injury list at the end of the month after attempting to play as a late substitute. [52] The Red Bulls entered the Leagues Cup break on an eight-match unbeaten streak but only won twice despite outshooting their opponents—an attacking discrpency that was blamed on the absence of Forsberg. [53]

New York finished at the bottom of their group in Leagues Cup play after losing two penalty shootouts to Toronto FC and C.F. Pachuca. [54] During their tournament break in August, Uruguayan midfielder Felipe Carballo was acquired on loan from Grêmio in Brazil and filled the team's last remaining Designated Player slot. [55] The Red Bulls had their 12-match home unbeaten streak in league play snapped by the Philadelphia Union and won once in their final nine matches of the regular season. [56] [57] Forsberg returned to the team in October as the team finished seventh in the Eastern Conference and qualified for the playoffs for the 15th consecutive season. [58] [59] Lewis Morgan was the top goalscorer for the Red Bulls, with 14 in MLS matches, and named the Comeback Player of the Year for his performance during the regular season. [60]

The Red Bulls opened the playoffs with a two-match sweep of the Columbus Crew, the defending MLS Cup champions and top seed in the Eastern Conference. They earned an upset 1–0 victory in Columbus through a goal by Carballo and a shutout by goalkeeper Carlos Coronel. [61] In the second match, the Red Bulls played to a 2–2 draw and defeated the Crew in the penalty shootout with three saves from Coronel to advance to their first Conference Semifinals since 2018. [62] They then faced cross-town rivals New York City FC for the first time in the playoffs; the match was played at Citi Field, which was used in place of Yankee Stadium due to a scheduling conflict with the Army–Notre Dame college football game. [63] The Red Bulls won 2–0 with goals in the first half by Carballo from a long-distance strike and Dante Vanzeir on a corner kick. [64] The team clinched their second Eastern Conference championship with a 1–0 defeat of hosts Orlando City SC; the lone goal was a header scored by defender Andrés Reyes, while Coronel kept a shutout amid nine shots from Orlando City. [58] The Red Bulls were the lowest-ever seed to play in an MLS Cup final and the first team since the 1998 Chicago Fire to win three consecutive road games in the MLS Cup Playoffs. [14] [65]

Summary of results

Note: In all results below, the score of the finalist is given first (H: home; A: away).
LA Galaxy Round New York Red Bulls
2nd place in Western Conference

MLS Western Conference table (2024)
PosTeam
PldPts
1 Los Angeles FC 3464
2 LA Galaxy 3464
3 Real Salt Lake 3459
4 Seattle Sounders FC 3457
5 Houston Dynamo FC 3454
6 Minnesota United FC 3452
7 Colorado Rapids 3450
Source: MLS

     Qualified for playoffs
     Qualified for CONCACAF Champions Cup

Regular season 7th place in Eastern Conference

MLS Eastern Conference table (2024)
PosTeam
PldPts
4 Orlando City SC 3452
5 Charlotte FC 3451
6 New York City FC 3450
7 New York Red Bulls 3447
8 CF Montréal 3443
9 Atlanta United FC 3440
10 D.C. United 3440
Source: MLS

     Qualified for playoffs
     Qualified for CONCACAF Champions Cup

Opponent (Games)1st leg2nd leg3rd leg MLS Cup Playoffs Opponent (Games)1st leg2nd leg3rd leg
Colorado Rapids (2–0)5–0 (H)4–1 (A)—Round One Columbus Crew (2–0)1–0 (A)2–2 (5–4 p.) (H)—
OpponentScoreOpponentScore
Minnesota United FC 6–2 (H)Conference Semifinals New York City FC 2–0 (A)
Seattle Sounders FC 1–0 (H)Conference Finals Orlando City SC 1–0 (A)

Venue

MLS Cup 2024 was hosted by the LA Galaxy at their home stadium Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, near Los Angeles. The Galaxy won the right to host the match due to their higher finish during the 2024 regular season. [66] Dignity Health Sports Park has 27,000 seats and is part of a multi-use sports complex on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills. [67] It opened in 2003 for the Galaxy and was also home to Chivas USA, another MLS franchise, from 2005 to 2014 and the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League from 2017 to 2019. [68] [69] MLS Cup 2024 is the seventh MLS Cup final to be played at Dignity Health Sports Park; it had been selected as a neutral venue in 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2011, and the MLS Cup was hosted by the Galaxy in 2012 and 2014. [70] [71] It is also the ninth MLS Cup final to be played in the Los Angeles area; the Rose Bowl in Pasadena hosted MLS Cup 1998 and Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles hosted MLS Cup 2022. [70] [72]

The Galaxy announced a sellout for the match on December 6. The pre-match ceremonies included a performance by rapper Warren G and a festival at Galaxy Park. [73] Shuttle buses to Dignity Health Sports Park were offered from Del Amo station and the Harbor Gateway Transit Center before and after the match. [74] The New York Red Bulls acquired 2,000 tickets and distributed them to team staff, supporters' groups, and season-ticket holders. The team also provided a $300 travel stipend for 700 members of the supporters' groups. [75]

Broadcasting

The MLS Cup final was broadcast worldwide for free in English and Spanish on MLS Season Pass, a subscription streaming service operated by Apple under their Apple TV+ brand. The English commentary team is led by play-by-play announcer Jake Zivin and analyst Taylor Twellman; the Spanish team comprises Sammy Sadovnik and Diego Valeri. MLS Season Pass also aired pre-game and post-game shows in English and Spanish. [76] The match was also broadcast on U.S. terrestrial television by Fox Sports in English and Fox Deportes in Spanish. Fox Sports primarily used the MLS Season Pass feed, which includes 17 cameras, and add four of its own cameras. The English commentary team for Fox is led by play-by-play announcer John Strong and analyst Stu Holden; the Spanish team for Fox Deportes comprises Rodolfo Landeros and John Laguna as play-by-play announcers for each half, respectively. [77] The Canadian television broadcast was carried by TSN in English and Réseau des sports (RDS) in French. [78] The match was also shown live in Times Square in New York City on a large digital billboard that measures 330 by 78 feet (101 by 24 m). [11] [78]

The Fox drew with an average of 427,000 viewers with a 48 percent decrease who tuned into the English-language telecast last year while Fox Deportes had 41,000 viewers with a 45 percent decrease from 2023; the combined viewership of 468,000 viewers across both channels was down 47 percent from MLS Cup 2023, which was also broadcast on MLS Season Pass and Fox. The decrease in ratings was attributed to the Apple deal as well as competition from college football conference championship weekend; the 2024 SEC Championship Game kicked off at the same time as the MLS Cup. [79] The match also drew a smaller television audience than the 2024 NWSL Championship and 2024 USL Championship Final, which both aired at the same day on CBS two weeks ago. [80]

Match

Summary

The MLS Cup final was played with a sellout crowd of 26,812 spectators at Dignity Health Sports Park, including 2,200 supporters and staff from the New York Red Bulls. [81] The Galaxy used a 4–3–3 formation with two changes from the Western Conference Final as manager Greg Vanney replaced the injured Riqui Puig and Marco Reus in the midfield with Gastón Brugman, Edwin Cerrillo, and Mark Delgado. [82] [83] The Red Bulls intended to use an unchanged lineup with their 3–4–1–2 formation, [82] but defender Andrés Reyes fell ill before kickoff and was replaced with Noah Eile. [84] The referee for the match was Guido Gonzales Jr., who previously officiated the 2018 NWSL Championship. [85]

The first goal was scored in the ninth minute by Joseph Paintsil at the end of a 15-pass sequence through the center of the Red Bulls defense with a through-ball by Brugman. [83] Painstil celebrated by holding up Puig's jersey. The Galaxy extended their lead four minutes later with a 40-yard (37 m) run by Dejan Joveljić that ended with a successful shot into the goal while he fell to the ground. [86] [87] Joveljić's celebration included an homage to former Galaxy forward Robbie Keane's signature celebration. [84] During a corner kick for the Red Bulls in the 28th minute, defender Sean Nealis controlled the ball and shot a slow volley into the goal to cut the lead to 2–1. [86]

Near the end of the second half's six minutes of stoppage time, [86] a whistle for an offside Red Bulls player was mistaken for the final whistle. Bench players and staff from the Galaxy began to run onto the field until the match could resume for a few seconds. [88] The Philip F. Anschutz Trophy was presented to Galaxy captain Maya Yoshida by team owner and trophy namesake Philip Anschutz, who thanked "the fans who continued to have faith in the Galaxy". [81] [89]

Details

LA Galaxy 2–1 New York Red Bulls
Report
Dignity Health Sports Park , Carson, California
Attendance: 26,812 [90]
Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr. [1]
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LA Galaxy
Kit left arm nyrb24h.png
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New York Red Bulls
GK77 Flag of the United States.svg John McCarthy
RB2 Flag of Japan.svg Miki Yamane
CB25 Flag of Colombia.svg Carlos Emiro Garcés
CB4 Flag of Japan.svg Maya Yoshida (c)
LB14 Flag of the United States.svg John Nelson
CM8 Flag of the United States.svg Mark Delgado Yellow card.svg 38'
CM20 Flag of the United States.svg Edwin Cerrillo
CM5 Flag of Uruguay.svg Gastón Brugman Sub off.svg 75'
FW28 Flag of Ghana.svg Joseph Paintsil Sub off.svg 90+4'
FW9 Flag of Serbia.svg Dejan Joveljić Sub off.svg 78'
FW11 Flag of Brazil.svg Gabriel Pec
Substitutions:
GK35 Flag of Serbia.svg Novak Mićović
DF15 Flag of El Salvador.svg Eriq Zavaleta
DF24 Flag of the United States.svg Jalen Neal Sub on.svg 90+4'
DF3 Flag of Argentina.svg Julián Aude
DF19 Flag of the United States.svg Mauricio Cuevas
MF7 Flag of the United States.svg Diego Fagúndez Sub on.svg 78'
MF52 Flag of the United States.svg Isaiah Parente
MF18 Flag of Germany.svg Marco Reus Sub on.svg 75'
FW27 Flag of Spain.svg Miguel Berry
Manager:
Flag of the United States.svg Greg Vanney
GK31 Flag of Paraguay.svg Carlos Coronel
CB12 Flag of the United States.svg Dylan Nealis Sub off.svg 84'
CB3 Flag of Sweden.svg Noah Eile Yellow card.svg 35'
CB15 Flag of the United States.svg Sean Nealis
RM17 Flag of the United States.svg Cameron Harper Yellow card.svg 71'
CM75 Flag of the United States.svg Daniel Edelman Sub off.svg 84'
CM5 Flag of the United States.svg Peter Stroud Sub off.svg 65'
LM47 Flag of the United States.svg John Tolkin
AM10 Flag of Sweden.svg Emil Forsberg (c)
CF13 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Dante Vanzeir Sub off.svg 65'
CF9 Flag of Scotland.svg Lewis Morgan
Substitutions:
GK18 Flag of the United States.svg Ryan Meara
DF19 Flag of Venezuela.svg Wikelman Carmona Sub on.svg 84'
MF48 Flag of Ghana.svg Ronald Donkor Sub on.svg 65'
FW11 Flag of Brazil.svg Elias Manoel Sub on.svg 65'
FW22 Flag of the United States.svg Serge Ngoma
FW7 Flag of Jamaica.svg Cory Burke Sub on.svg 84'
FW16 Flag of the United States.svg Julian Hall
FW2 Flag of Norway.svg Dennis Gjengaar
Manager:
Flag of Germany.svg Sandro Schwarz

MLS Cup MVP: Gastón Brugman (LA Galaxy) [90]

Assistant referees: [1]
Kyle Atkins
Logan Brown
Fourth official:
Ismir Pekmic
Reserve assistant referee:
Joe Dickerson
Video assistant referee:
Younes Marrakchi
Assistant video assistant referee:
TJ Zablocki
Reserve video assistant referee:
Jose Da Silva

Match rules [91]

  • 90 minutes of regulation time
  • 30 minutes of extra time if necessary
  • Penalty shootout if scores still level
  • Maximum of nine named substitutes
  • Maximum of five substitutions, with a sixth allowed in extra time. Each team is only given three opportunities to make substitutions, excluding substitutions made at half-time, before the start of extra time, and at half-time in extra time. Two additional substitutions are available for players with concussion symptoms.

Post-match

The Galaxy won their record sixth MLS Cup championship and maintained their home undefeated streak at Dignity Health Sports Park. Greg Vanney became the fourth head coach to win an MLS Cup with two different teams, having previously managed Toronto FC at MLS Cup 2017. The Galaxy's 18 goals scored in the playoffs surpassed the record set in the 2016 playoffs by Toronto FC, also coached by Vanney. [92] Gastón Brugman was named the MLS Cup most valuable player, becoming the first Uruguayan player to win the award. [92] The 2024 final was the third consecutive MLS Cup match for Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy, who won titles with both Los Angeles clubs. [93]

A victory celebration is scheduled for December 8 at Dignity Health Sports Park. [81] As winner of the MLS Cup, the Galaxy qualified for the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup, an annual international competition for the top clubs in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The team had already qualified for another berth based on their finish during the regular season and the berth was transferred to the next team in the standings, Seattle Sounders FC. [94]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "2024 MLS Cup crew confirmed" (Press release). Professional Referee Organization. December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  2. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (December 7, 2024). "Champions! LA Galaxy lift MLS Cup 2024 over New York Red Bulls". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  3. ↑ Bonagura, Kyle (December 22, 2023). "As MLS 2024 schedule releases, all eyes turn to Messi". ESPN . Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  4. ↑ Nalton, James (February 20, 2024). "MLS 2024 season: What to look out for, including Lionel Messi & Luis Suarez at Inter Miami". BBC Sport . Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  5. ↑ Silverman, Alex (December 20, 2023). "MLS announces 2024 schedule, Leagues Cup return". Sports Business Journal . Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  6. ↑ Vertelney, Seth (October 23, 2024). "2024 MLS Cup playoffs format". Pro Soccer Wire. USA Today . Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  7. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (October 29, 2024). "Confusing MLS playoff format a source of frustration for LAFC and Galaxy". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  8. ↑ Deen, Safid; Reineking, Jim (November 30, 2024). "LA Galaxy to face New York Red Bulls in MLS Cup 2024: Highlights from conference finals". USA Today . Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  9. ↑ Boehm, Charles (December 1, 2024). "MLS Cup 2024: LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls at long last". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  10. 1 2 3 Goff, Steven (December 6, 2024). "Galaxy and Red Bulls navigated twisty playoffs. Now, they meet in MLS Cup" . The Washington Post . Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  11. 1 2 3 Rueter, Jeff; Maurer, Pablo (December 6, 2024). "LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls: Two originals go head-to-head in MLS Cup" . The Athletic . Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  12. ↑ Calhoun, Damian (December 1, 2024). "First look at Galaxy's MLS Cup Final against New York Red Bulls". Los Angeles Daily News . Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Chicharito's hat trick propels Galaxy past Red Bulls 3-2". ESPN. Associated Press. April 25, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  14. 1 2 Ruderman, Justin (November 30, 2024). "LA Galaxy return to MLS Cup "hungry" for another title". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  15. ↑ "LA Galaxy aim for return to MLS glory days in Conference final". Yahoo Sports . Agence France-Presse. November 28, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  16. ↑ Burke, Elias (June 4, 2023). "LA Galaxy discord explained: Fan protests, Chris Klein's departure, club sanctions and more" . The Athletic. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  17. 1 2 Tenorio, Paul (November 30, 2024). "LA Galaxy outlast Seattle Sounders to earn first MLS Cup berth since 2014" . The Athletic. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  18. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (October 24, 2023). "Commentary: 'This can't happen again.' Greg Vanney faces pressure to finally fix the Galaxy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  19. 1 2 Baxter, Kevin (November 26, 2024). "Commentary: Galaxy's new direction has them on target to host MLS Cup with one more win". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  20. ↑ Carlisle, Jeff (December 6, 2024). "Galaxy's run to first MLS Cup in 10 years began with a boycott". ESPN. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  21. ↑ Arnold, Jon (November 20, 2024). "Killa P's: How Puig, Pec & Paintsil drive LA Galaxy". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  22. 1 2 Boehm, Charles (December 3, 2024). "LA Galaxy: How the storied club got their swagger back". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  23. ↑ Calhoun, Damian (December 3, 2024). "How the Galaxy reached the MLS Cup final after last year's 'perfect storm'". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  24. 1 2 Baxter, Kevin (February 23, 2024). "Galaxy are out of excuses. After spending spree, they aim to rejoin MLS elite". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  25. ↑ Anderson, Jason (February 23, 2024). "MLS 2024 preview: The top newcomers you need to know". Pro Soccer Wire. USA Today. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  26. ↑ Calhoun, Damian (February 23, 2024). "6 questions facing the Galaxy before the 2024 MLS season". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  27. ↑ Calhoun, Damian (April 5, 2024). "Galaxy enters first El Trafico meeting riding confident wave". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  28. ↑ Gross, Josh (April 6, 2024). "Tillman, Bouanga lead LAFC past Galaxy in El Tráfico rivalry game". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  29. 1 2 Calhoun, Damian (May 24, 2024). "Galaxy looks to start compiling points at home". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  30. ↑ Calhoun, Damian (June 18, 2024). "Galaxy adapting smoothly so far to spate of injuries". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  31. ↑ Calhoun, Damian (July 3, 2024). "Galaxy takes on LAFC at the Rose Bowl with first place on the line". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  32. ↑ Calhoun, Damian (July 21, 2024). "Galaxy defeats Portland to remain in first place in Western Conference". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  33. ↑ Evans, Jayda (August 8, 2024). "Sounders strike three times in first half to hand LA Galaxy loss in Leagues Cup match" . The Seattle Times . Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  34. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (August 24, 2024). "Marco Reus proves to be an instant game-changer for Galaxy in historic win". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  35. ↑ "First-place Galaxy falls in Portland". Los Angeles Daily News. September 19, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  36. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (October 19, 2024). "The road to MLS Cup runs through LAFC and BMO Stadium". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  37. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (December 6, 2024). "How Greg Vanney unlocked Galaxy greatness in one of the most stunning MLS turnarounds". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  38. 1 2 Ruderman, Justin (October 6, 2024). "LA Galaxy on historic pace in MLS Cup chase: "It's everything"". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  39. ↑ Rueter, Jeff (November 4, 2024). "LA Galaxy's Gabriel Pec wins MLS Newcomer of the Year over Luis Suárez, Luca Orellano" . The Athletic. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  40. ↑ Nourse, Braidon (November 2, 2024). "Rapids knocked out of MLS Cup playoffs by L.A. Galaxy". The Denver Post . Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  41. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (November 24, 2024). "Six Goals: LA Galaxy storm into Western Conference Final". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  42. ↑ Calhoun, Damian (November 29, 2024). "High-scoring Galaxy hosts Sounders with MLS Cup final berth at stake". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  43. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (December 1, 2024). "Galaxy playmaker Riqui Puig suffers torn ACL in Western Conference final". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  44. ↑ Das, Andrew (October 28, 2018). "Red Bulls Clinch M.L.S. Regular-Season Title" . The New York Times . Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  45. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (November 5, 2023). "New York Red Bulls recognize "greater expectation" after playoff heartbreak". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  46. 1 2 3 Sigal, Jonathan (December 5, 2024). "How New York Red Bulls charted a dream run to MLS Cup". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  47. ↑ Pantorno, Joe (February 5, 2024). "Sandro Schwarz to balance control, intensity at helm of New York Red Bulls". amNewYork Metro . Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  48. ↑ Peach, Simon (December 6, 2024). "Scotland winger Lewis Morgan determined to 'make history' by winning MLS Cup". The Independent . Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  49. ↑ Pantorno, Joe (April 11, 2024). "Dante Vanzeir comfortable, thriving as he builds momentum with Red Bulls". amNewYork Metro. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  50. ↑ Egan, Kevin (May 3, 2024). "360 View: Will New York Red Bulls make statement vs. Inter Miami?". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  51. ↑ Lemieux, Jeff (June 3, 2024). "Matchday Guide: Revs vs. New York Red Bulls (June 8, 2024)". New England Revolution . Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  52. ↑ Pantorno, Joe (September 24, 2024). "Emil Forsberg injury: Red Bulls star questionable for Saturday vs. NYCFC". amNewYork Metro. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  53. ↑ Pantorno, Joe (July 21, 2024). "Red Bulls hit Leagues Cup break on a high after strong showing vs. Cincinnati". amNewYork Metro. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  54. ↑ Davidson, Neil (August 4, 2024). "Franklin scores off bench as TFC edges Pachuca in Leagues Cup". TSN. The Canadian Press. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  55. ↑ "New York Red Bulls sign DP midfielder Felipe Carballo". MLSsoccer.com. August 15, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  56. ↑ Lewis, Michael (August 31, 2024). "Doubling their displeasure: Red Bulls lose for 1st time at home this season, as their winless streak vs. Union reaches 14". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  57. ↑ Meachem, Cal (November 23, 2024). "New York Red Bulls dream of MLS Cup: "It's a historical moment"". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  58. 1 2 Fonseca, Brian (December 6, 2024). "Long-suffering Red Bulls fans, former players hope 'magical' playoff run ends with 1st MLS Cup title" . NJ.com . Advance Publications . Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  59. ↑ Meachem, Cal (December 5, 2024). "Emil Forsberg leads New York Red Bulls to MLS Cup: "I'm not satisfied"". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  60. ↑ Pantorno, Joe (November 6, 2024). "Red Bulls' Lewis Morgan finding new levels of gratitude after injury, winning MLS Comeback Player of the Year". amNewYork Metro. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  61. ↑ Butler, Dylan (December 2, 2024). "How New York Red Bulls reached MLS Cup: 5 big moments". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  62. ↑ Rueter, Jeff (November 3, 2024). "New York Red Bulls knock reigning MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew out of playoffs" . The Athletic. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  63. ↑ Waldstein, David (November 22, 2024). "New York's Soccer Clubs Meet in a Playoff, and the Loathing Is Mutual" . The New York Times. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  64. ↑ Lewis, Michael (November 24, 2024). "Dante's (Playoff) Inferno: Vanzeir rediscovers his mojo for the Red Bulls". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  65. ↑ "MLS playoffs conference finals: Galaxy, Red Bulls to MLS Cup". ESPN. December 2, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  66. ↑ "MLS Cup 2024 hosting scenarios: Where will the final be held?". MLSsoccer.com. November 24, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  67. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (March 4, 2013). "Home Depot Center to become StubHub Center". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  68. ↑ Markazi, Arash (December 21, 2019). "For Carson Mayor Albert Robles, Chargers' final game in the city is bittersweet". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  69. ↑ Maurer, Pablo; Stejskal, Sam (October 27, 2020). "The short life and long death of Chivas USA" . The Athletic. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
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  71. ↑ Botta, Christopher (November 26, 2012). "MLS gets home-field advantage". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  72. ↑ Lewis, Michael (October 31, 2022). "A Quick Look Ahead: To MLS Cup match-up between LAFC and Philadelphia". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  73. ↑ "LA Galaxy Announce Sellout at Dignity Health Sports Park for 2024 MLS Cup presented by Audi on Saturday, Dec. 7" (Press release). LA Galaxy. December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  74. ↑ "MLS Cup pres. by Audi Matchday Guide: LA Galaxy vs New York Red Bulls" (Press release). LA Galaxy. December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  75. ↑ Davidson, Neil (December 6, 2024). "Red Bulls go into MLS Cup final with distinctly Canadian flavour in front office". Toronto Star . The Canadian Press . Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  76. ↑ "MLS Announces Broadcast Plans for MLS Cup 2024 presented by Audi" (Press release). Major League Soccer. December 4, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  77. ↑ Hernández, Kristian (December 6, 2024). "MLS Cup Final 2024: FOX Sports, FOX Deportes Spin League's World Feed Into Production for Title Match". Sports Video Group . Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  78. 1 2 "LA Galaxy to Host New York Red Bulls in 2024 MLS Cup Presented by Audi" (Press release). Major League Soccer. November 30, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  79. ↑ Silverman, Alex; Karp, Austin (December 11, 2024). "MLS Cup linear audience down nearly 50%". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  80. ↑ Lerner, Drew (December 11, 2024). "MLS Cup linear audience down massively on Fox in year two of Apple deal". Awful Announcing . Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  81. 1 2 3 Baxter, Kevin (December 7, 2024). "The Galaxy are back after beating the Red Bulls for the franchise's sixth MLS Cup". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  82. 1 2 "MLS Cup 2024 Lineups: LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls". MLSsoccer.com. December 7, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  83. 1 2 Carlisle, Jeff (December 7, 2024). "Tasked with replacing Puig, Galaxy's midfield trio won MLS Cup". ESPN. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  84. 1 2 Calhoun, Damian (December 7, 2024). "Galaxy holds on to claim 6th MLS Cup". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  85. ↑ Dure, Beau (December 7, 2024). "LA Galaxy 2-1 New York Red Bulls: MLS Cup final – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  86. 1 2 3 Goff, Steven (December 7, 2024). "Galaxy starts fast and holds strong for its first MLS Cup crown in a decade" . The Washington Post. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  87. ↑ Booth, Chuck (December 7, 2024). "MLS Cup 2024 final score: Live updates as LA Galaxy host New York Red Bulls in battle of original league clubs". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  88. ↑ Wollard, Rob (December 7, 2024). "Galaxy beat Red Bulls 2-1 to win sixth MLS Cup crown". Yahoo Sports. Agence France-Presse. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  89. ↑ Beacham, Greg (December 7, 2024). "LA Galaxy strike early, hold off New York Red Bulls 2-1 to win their record 6th MLS Cup championship". ABC News . Associated Press. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  90. 1 2 "LA Galaxy's Gastón Brugman named MLS Cup 2024 MVP pres. by Audi". MLSsoccer.com. December 7, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  91. ↑ "2024 MLS Competition Guidelines". Major League Soccer. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  92. 1 2 "LA Galaxy Win MLS Cup 2024 presented by Audi, Defeating New York Red Bulls, 2-1" (Press release). Major League Soccer. December 7, 2024. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  93. ↑ Gross, Josh (December 7, 2024). "John McCarthy makes history as first Champion for both L.A. MLS teams". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  94. ↑ Evans, Jaya (December 7, 2024). "Sounders' Club World Cup schedule released; Seattle qualifies for CONCACAF Champions Cup" . The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
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